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Worried that your StarCraft 2 or Sins of Solar Empire won't come out in time for Christmas? Fear not, my children, NASA is here to quench your thirst for virtual space adventures and science.

We all know that some serious US institutions have a taste for being... "playful" (US Army anyone?...), but this one exceeds even our most wildest expectations. Yes, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is back in the game, with a science-focused MMORPG.

The Agency's Learning Technologies (LT) Project Office- which according to the official description "supports projects that deliver NASA relevant content through innovative applications of technologies to enhance education in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)"- is seeking to enter the lucrative MMO market with "an educational MMO" based on NASA's guidelines.

The scientists at Goddard Space Center have begun to realize what wonderful learning and recruitment tools games in general, and MMOs in particular, can be, and decided to try their luck.

"There is increasing recognition that these synthetic environments can serve as powerful “hands-on” tools for teaching a range of complex subjects, including STEM-based instruction. Virtual worlds with scientifically accurate simulations could permit learners to tinker with chemical reactions in living cells, practice operating and repairing expensive equipment, and experience microgravity – making it easier to grasp complex concepts and quickly transfer this understanding to practical problems. MMOs help players develop and exercise a skill set closely matching the thinking, planning, learning, and technical skills increasingly in demand by employers today. These skills include strategic thinking, interpretative analysis, problem solving, plan formulation and execution, team-building and collaboration, and adaptation to rapid change."

The LT department asks its potential partners to come up with a powerful game engine for the educational MMO (well, CryENGINE 2 can theoretically render maps 458 bigger than Earth's land surface... is that powerful enough?), and that means that the code should support "powerful physics" and "accurate in-game experimentation and research".

"It should simulate real NASA engineering and science missions in a medium that is comfortable and familiar to the majority of students in the United States today. A NASA-based MMO could provide opportunities for students to investigate STEM career paths while participating in engaging game-play. Through a NASA-based MMO, students will gain insight into a wide range of exciting career opportunities and be encouraged to make educational choices that lead them into STEM fields of study and eventually the STEM careers needed to fulfill NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration."

"The NASA LT Project Office is requesting information to support the development of a NASA-based STEM educational MMO. A high quality synthetic gaming environment is a vital element of NASA’s educational cyberstructure. This new synthetic world would be a collaborative work and meeting space as well as a game space of a kind familiar to increasing numbers of American students. Games and challenges in the MMO would engage students in a way that is both familiar and comfortable for them. In turn, participation in the MMO would build increased student awareness of STEM fields and lead more students to pursue STEM courses of study. The MMO will foster career exploration opportunities in a much deeper way than reading alone would permit and at a fraction of the time and cost of an internship program."

Those interested in the project should visit NASA's RFI (request for information) page at http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov/mmo until February 18, 2008.

Ok, so we now have an MMO from the US Army, an MMO from NASA and the Queen of England playing with the Wii... You know what's missing? An MMO from the CIA or the NSA, featuring George Bush and Dick Cheney...